WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The 2024-25 Hartford women's basketball team is anything but normal having 18 underclassmen on the roster, but the Hawks, although young, are hungry to compete in the Conference of New England (CNE).

In 2023-24, the Hawks would end the year with a 11-14 record with a 7-11 conference record. This season Hartford will be eligible for postseason play for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

HAWKS BACK HOME
This season women's basketball will return 10 student-athletes returning include sophomore Ella Marchesani (Saddle Brook, N.J.), sophomore Taryn Blevins (St. Louis, Mo.), sophomore Sidnee Bowden (Canton, Ohio), sophomore Paige Loughman (Bernardston, Mass.), sophomore Megan Benner (East Granby, Conn), sophomore Kristen Trembley (Granby, Mass), sophomore Kendall Rieman (Chicago, Ill.), sophomore Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, N.J.), sophomore Madison Baird (Wentzille, Mo.) and sophomore Jaida Cunningham (Siesta Key, Fla.).

Blevins has been a vocal leader for the team in the early going after starting 18 games in 2023-24. Taryn ended the year averaging 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. 

"This year we are really looking to build. We are a young team so we just want to continue to push each other. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable is one of the biggest things we are trying to do as well as focusing on the little details. We are building to get to the point of competing for a championship, so everyday we are just encouraging each other and working on fine tuning certain things. Individually we are pushing each other to be better so all of our details can connect and go get a championship this year."

Bowden made 13 starts in 2023-24, while playing in all 25 games for the Hawks. Sidnee averaged 5.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in her freshman season. 

"Our team expectation is to just push each other every single day. We want to all work the hardest at practice, bring all of our effort and respect one another. We want to push each other the hardest we can and have fun while we do it."

A FRESH NEW LOOK
The Hawks will add seven freshmen and a transfer to the roster in 2024-25 with plenty of opportunity for the young student-athletes.

Sophomore Lauren Sabia (Simsbury, Conn.) is the lone transfer in 2024-25 coming from Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Guards (5): Megan Lesevoli (Wolcott, Conn.), Mackenzie Hohulin (Plymouth, Mass.), Mikaela Williams (Windsor, Conn. ), Megan O'Hare (Drexel Hill, Pa.), Elizabeth Johnson (Marlborough, Mass.)

Forward (1): Maddie MacCannell (Portsmouth, N.H.),

Center (1): Maya Okoro (Frisco, Texas)

One of the freshman to watch is Hohulin who is excited for her first year in West Hartford. 

"Our team expectations everyday is to show up and work as hard as we can. We want to continue to push each other to get better and communicate. Joining the CNE gives us a lot of expectations for us to do well and we want to be the first winners of the conference and that is what our goal is."

SEASON OUTLOOK
Head Coach Polly Thomason enters her third season as the head coach of women's basketball team at the University of Hartford as she continues to build a team culture that starts with winning. Hailee Curry returns for her fifth season with the team in 2024-25, while Hannah Everidge joins the coaching staff from Franklin Pierce University. 

The Hawks have a 25-game slate in 2024-25 with 10 regular season games in Chase Arena. The season tips-off on November 16th when the Hawks travel to New London, Conn. to take on Connecticut College at 1:00 PM.

The 18 game CNE schedule kicks off on December 4th when the Hawks travel to CNE preseason favorite Western New England University. Hartford Women's Basketball was selected 6th in the CNE Preseason Poll receiving 57 points. Western New England was selected to win the conference followed by Roger Williams University and Endicott College

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